What Has Worked Well

Summary of items discussed in this post.

-        Backpacking Chair

-        Nasal Strips

-        IM8 Supplement

-        The Engineered Planner

-        Creatine Supplement

Introduction

What new items do I use daily that work well and like to use? A lot of these items I began implementing a couple of months ago to see if I noticed any real impact on my life. Now, I should say that I am not a doctor, so I am not recommending that you do anything or try anything that I am saying. I am simply sharing what positive experiences I have had when starting to use these items daily. So, we might as well just jump right into the first of five items.

Backpacking Chair

The fifth item that I have added to my routine is a portable backpacking chair, which I use to sit in and read or relax before going to bed. It's comfortable, and I would recommend getting one if you live in a dorm or smaller living space. They weigh less than five pounds. The chairs does sit close to the ground and are not really made to do work, which is why they're so good to relax in. I will make sure to link one on Amazon below this section.

Additionally, they are inexpensive, which also makes them a viable choice for college students. They run around 20 to 30 dollars. Which I don’t think is too bad because of the prices of some of the camping chairs that I see online. I could see them as a good thing to take to tailgates, too, because of how portable they are. Originally, I didn’t think the chair would be that versatile, but it works well. Another way it could be used is to just keep it in the car because of how little space it takes up. You never know when you will need a chair! Since we are on the topic of relaxing, there is nothing more relaxing than sleep, and what I have been doing to make the most out of my time sleeping is in our next item.

Buy the Chair Here!

Nasal Strips

The number four item that has really helped me this year is nasal strips. Since I have not been sleeping as much as I would like, it seems to help optimize my sleep. It does seem like I wake up more fully rested in general, and that is all that really matters to me. Which I suppose has downstream effects of getting more tasks done in the day and not feeling bad in general. I think this has helped me avoid getting sick all of 2025, which is quite astonishing to me given my sleep habits. I wouldn’t have thought that this would have happened; usually, I am sick for at least a week or two throughout the year. But I think the changes that I have made this year have really helped. I will expand further with some of the other items I have implemented into my routine. The next item also seems to help keep me healthy throughout the year. Instead of it being an aid, this item is a supplement.

Buy the Nasal Strips Here!

IM8 Supplement

The number three thing that has helped me this year is IM8. Which is a daily multivitamin I do think has helped me not get sick this year, and has filled in some of the things that I needed in my diet. Now again, I am not a doctor, so do what you will with this information. Also, I will say that IM8 doesn’t taste the best, which is one of the things that makes it hard to have every day. I need to have it at the start of the day from a mindset standpoint, so I do not have to keep thinking about taking it. I am not sponsored by IM8 or anything, but the product I have found helps me. I do get a kind of boost of energy too after I drink it, usually in the afternoons. IM8 also has other products it offers, but I have not really tried them enough to comment on them. This is something that I will investigate as we go into 2026.

You can buy IM8 on their website or the Amazon link Here!

The Engineered Planner

The number two item that has been making a bigger difference is the planner I developed called the Engineered Planner. You can buy it on Amazon, and I will link it below if you want to buy one for yourself. I have always made lists and things to organize my thoughts and to-dos, but I have finally made something that fits my planning style. The planner also allows me to implement my long- and short-term goals. I have also tried different planners, too, and they didn’t seem to fit what I was doing in my life. I would always have some kind of oversight. Whether it was forgetting to move the laundry to the dryer or planning for what is important to do over the week.

With the new planner, it fits well and allows me to set my direction and goals all in one. It also allows me to plan my workouts beforehand, which has been helpful and takes less mental bandwidth later when I am working out. I can get into the gym and just get after it. The planner has really made my life simpler, and I am less worried about what I have to get done that I don’t remember needing to do. Speaking of cognitive requirements in your daily life, the next supplement has helped me with this as well.

Buy My Planner Here!

Creatine Supplement

The number one thing that has really helped my life currently, since I have not been sleeping enough, is creatine. This is not only for lifting, but the cognitive benefit. I am less tired and can think a little bit clearly when I do tasks at home and at work. Now, I should say that I am not a doctor, so I am not recommending that you do anything or try anything that I am saying.

However, my lifts have gone up tremendously now that I have been taking the supplement consistently since September, and I feel more productive as well. I should say I have taken creatine before, but at lower dosages just for lifting. Now I am taking about 8 to 10 grams a day, which is higher than the normal five grams. But I don’t think I want to go up much more than that. My bench has gone from two or three reps of 275 pounds to being able to hit 315 pounds for four.

The company that I am getting the creatine from is called Bloom, and it is at a competitive price. I take it in the morning after breakfast as I drive to work. I really do sip on it like coffee, even though that sounds so gross. Additionally, I have found that it is best to shake up the container the creatine is in right before you take a sip. This is so that the solids that have settled to the bottom of the container rise and become suspended solids. The cause of this settling is that I put scoops in, and there is not enough water to dissolve the creatine. So maybe use more water than I do. I use about twenty ounces of water in a fully sealed water bottle, so I don’t spill it when I shake the drink. Another thing to note is that I have found that I need to have food before I drink the creatine because otherwise, I will get a little bit of an upset stomach.

Buy the creatine supplement I use Here!

How These Items Relate to College

You may be asking how this all pertains to college or if any of it does. The reason that it does is that some of these items can help you feel more rested and more effective when doing your class work. Who doesn’t want to do more with less time? Additionally, the more time you spend feeling well, the more you can learn and the easier it is to do tasks. Believe me, I have been there studying for hours and being sick. It is the worst if you cannot take steps to avoid it; this makes college a lot easier.

Colleges and schools in general carry a lot of pathogens compared to other work settings, so if your immune system is low, you will be even more vulnerable to getting sick than if it were a summer break or some other setting. What I talked about doesn’t have proof that it helps your immune system, but this is simply my thought process regarding lost time due to sicknesses.

In terms of productivity, I do think handwriting your daily plan, like the one I sell, works very well and gets you involved every day, unlike having a Google calendar or some other software.

The act of thinking and planning helps you to do your homework, projects, and think about how to study more effectively. You can think of it as if you are your own proxy manager. Which I do believe has real value that we are losing with some of the software. However, I do see the application of the online calendars; they work well in the work setting. But it is still hard to beat a daily planner that allows you to see all the items you need to get done in a day, and then you can go through and find the most effective path to get each of the items checked off your list and done in your day based on your class schedule.

Overall, if you think about what you are doing and try to optimize your time, college will become easier to plan for, and you will figure it out. In some sense, it is like a game you must get better at to not have to spend so much time and energy when finding what needs to be done. Hopefully, some of the items I have shared may help you, and again, I am not a doctor or sponsored, so this is all that I have found that works for me in the last couple of months.

Summary

I shared my top five practical tools and wellness habits that have made a real difference in my daily routine and overall productivity. From using a portable backpacking chair for relaxation, to optimizing sleep with nasal strips, and supporting my health with supplements like IM8 and creatine, each tip is designed to help you feel your best and get more done. My custom Engineered Planner has also been a notable change for organizing tasks and achieving both short- and long-term goals.

Whether you’re a college student looking for study hacks or anyone aiming to build a healthier lifestyle, these strategies can help you stay focused, avoid burning out, and make the most of your time. Remember, slight changes in your daily routine can lead to big improvements in productivity and well-being.

Where Else to Find My Content

If you like my work or want to follow and support what I am doing, you can buy my book Calculus One Made Simple and my planner, which is linked below. Both are on Amazon. Lastly, if you want to follow my adventures, you can subscribe to my YouTube channel, Alpine Digest. Also, don't forget to join my email list!

Buy My Planner Here!

Buy My Calculus One Book Here!

Liability Disclaimer

The content provided on this blog is for informational purposes only and reflects the opinions of the author. While we strive for accuracy, we make no warranties or representations regarding the completeness or reliability of the information. Any actions you take based on the content of this blog are at your own risk. We are not liable for any errors or omissions, or for any consequences that may arise from the use of this information. Always consult with a qualified professional for advice specific to your situation.

© 2025 Universityshortcuts